Rare Early Swaddling Baby with Painted Bunting

Live Auction

14" (36 cm.) Hollow papier-mache or light-wood one-piece figure of baby whose body and limbs are enclosed in a swaddling blanket,having oil-painted complexion,delicately-curled hair,defined-cut sockets with enamel brown eyes,sculpted ears,defined nostrils,closed mouth with sculpted tongue and teeth,the swaddling blanket with delicately-painted "lace" between the swaddling bands and a border of lace at the bodice. Condition: generally excellent,fine early restoration touch-ups. Comments: Continental,late 18th century,the traditional swaddling costume,in which narrow strips of cloth tightly bound a blanket around the baby,its limbs in a rigid vertical pose,was practiced worldwide during early historical periods and included such variations as the Native American cradleboard. Although by the 18th century the practice was largely discredited as harmful to the growth of an infant,the swaddling baby remained a common image. Value Points: rare early doll with highly-characterized expression and beautifully-painted features and lace detail.